Suddenly, a date sounded a lot more appealing.
* * *
I smiledand nodded politely at whatever my date, Damien, had said. But I wasn’t listening. All I could think about was the fact that I’d be seeing Jonathan again, and I’d have to pretend as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t ripped my heart out and stomped all over it. I placed my hand to my stomach, trying to quell the nerves there.
I gulped down some more champagne while we waited with the other guests for my dad and Lea to arrive. It was going to be a long weekend, and this was just the beginning. Tonight was the surprise party with 100 guests. Tomorrow morning, I was supposed to meet up with the two of them for breakfast.
I hadn’t seen Jonathan yet, and I braced myself for it. Steeled myself for the idea that he—like me—might be here with a date.
Damien excused himself to the restroom, and my phone buzzed in my clutch. I pulled it out, smiling when I saw a text from Piper.
Piper: How’s it going?
Me: Fine. I think you’d like my date.
Piper: You don’t?
Me: He’s nice, just…not my type.
Piper: Too young?
I laughed, watching as the ellipsis danced on the screen just before another message came through.
Piper: Any wolf sightings yet?
I typed a quick reply as my aunt sidled up to me, asking about grad school and life in Palo Alto. I didn’t seek out conversation but was drawn into it anyway. Some of my dad’s friends, my grandmother. Everyone seemed to want to talk, and I played the part, even if my heart wasn’t in it. I kept glancing from face to face, wondering what they’d think if they knew about Jonathan and me. Not that we were together. But if we were, would my family and friends ever be able to accept our relationship? More importantly, why did I care? He’d made it abundantly clear that whatever had been between us was over.
“Quiet, please,” a tall blonde said from the front of the room. “Lea just texted that they’re pulling up to the hotel.”
She dimmed the lights to the ballroom, and everyone quieted down. I glanced around for Damien, knowing Lea would expect me to at least be a good host, even if I wasn’t a very good date.
When the doors to the ballroom swung open, light from the hallway filtered in. My dad’s and Lea’s silhouettes blended together, and I could hear my dad say, “Ooh, Lea. You know I love it when you get frisky.”
While others in the crowd laughed, I cringed. And then the lights came on, and everyone shouted, “Happy birthday!”
My dad paused, slowly removing his lips from his wife’s and turning toward the room. He grinned when he spotted everyone and straightened. Lea’s cheeks were dark pink, and she smoothed a hand down her dress. I laughed despite myself.
Damien appeared at my side and continued to charm everyone throughout dinner, including my grandmother. After we ate, the party moved to the hotel lawn. I still hadn’t seen Jonathan, and I was beginning to think he wasn’t coming. So, I focused on my date, resolving to put the summer behind me. To move on once and for all.
Damien seemed nice, and he was “appropriate.” And I tried—honestly. But he wasn’t Jonathan.
“Whoa,” Damien said. “Your dad looks pissed. Did I do something?”
I followed his gaze and discovered it wasn’t my dad but Jonathan who was glaring at us from across the hotel lawn. The sight of him nearly stole the breath from my lungs, but I was determined not to show him how affected I was. So, I played the part—waving with a smile before turning away.
“That’s not my dad. It’s his best friend.”And my former boss. Former…everything.
“Oh.” Damien furrowed his brow. “Okay. Is he like really protective or something?”
“Something like that,” I said, more to myself. “Come on.” I linked my arm through his and flashed him a smile. “Let’s grab a drink.”
We made the rounds, his hand on my lower back the entire time. He was nice, a talented musician, and I was…bored. God, I wassobored. And when I couldn’t handle the tedious conversation anymore, couldn’t force one more smile, I excused myself to the restroom.
My dress swished about my legs, my strides hurried as I rushed to escape. Finally, mercifully alone, I let my shoulders sag. I pressed my palms to the sink and took a deep breath, relief coursing through me that it was a single restroom and I wouldn’t get dragged into another conversation with one of the women in my family.
A few breaths later, I lifted my head to evaluate my appearance in the mirror. The material of my dress hugged my curves, emphasizing my generous breasts before flaring over my hips. I knew I couldn’t stay in here all night, but I wasn’t ready to leave yet. So, I dug in my purse for my lip gloss.
The door to the restroom opened, and I called out, “Just a minute.”
